Background

While we are all used to having access to almost any content, the situation is very different for the 285 million blind and visually impaired people worldwide: Only 3% of all digital text content is available in Braille, because material is expensive and translation requires human understanding, which makes it unprofitable for publishers in most cases. There is no alternative to Braille, especially when it comes to education: 90% of people who can’t read Braille are unemployed.
In 2016, Dot Incorporation set out to give the visually impaired access to mobile communication with the first Braille smartwatch. Now, we are creating access to content, with Dot Mini: The first smart media device for the visually impaired. It makes any digital text content accessible through the innovative Dot Translation Engine based on AI.

Describe the creative idea

Braille translation is highly complex: Grade 2 Braille – the standard for longer text – relies heavily on contractions. This inevitably leads to ambiguity, where exact meaning depends on context and up to four consecutive rules to be followed for a single word. For advanced areas like sciences or music, there are whole new rulebooks. So far, even the best software requires additional human input.
Dot Mini is the first device that can access any digital text content on its own.
Because the innovative Dot Translation Engine, based on AI / Machine Learning, understands context and translates efficiently to Grade 2 Braille, which is on average 50% shorter.
Dot Mini provides additional audio support, for even faster perception and multisensory applications. All in a device that’s multiple times smaller, more lightweight, less power consuming and cheaper than conventional ones with less functionality.

Describe the execution

The Dot Translation Engine can automatically convert any digital text into Grade 2 Braille.
The 16 Cell Active Braille Display is built with the innovative (70 patents) Dot Technology, uniquely based on magnetism, which reduces size, weight, power consumption and price by up to ten times.
Dot Mini can access digital text files from online libraries and websites, local and network storage.
Full audio support with speaker, headphones and microphone allows multisensory experiences like karaoke and even experiencing movies.
Intuitive control elements including directional pad, select, menu and scroll buttons, as well as voice recognition, make interactive applications like text editing, bookmarks and notes, as well as calculation, coding and even games possible.
Various interfaces: USB, Micro USB, Micro HDMI, SD Card, WiFi and Bluetooth.
Comfortably portable: 158x108x18mm / 256g.

List the results

Feedback during ongoing closed beta phase and rollout of first 1000 units in Kenya and India confirm that Dot Mini is a life-changing device for the visually impaired. 200,000 books are already directly available through partnerships with big content platforms like Rakuten Kobo and Yes24. 40,000 units are pre-ordered for global launch in late 2018. First 1000 units are being delivered to India and Kenya through Korean national development agency KOICA.